Slidable fiber optic connection module with cable slack management

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a frame and a fiber optic module. The fiber optic module includes a main housing portion defining fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables to be routed through the frame and a cable management portion for guiding cables between the main housing portion and the frame. The main housing portion of the fiber optic module is slidably mounted to the frame, the main housing portion slidable between a retracted position and an extended position in a sliding direction. The cable management portion of the fiber optic module includes a radius limiter slidably coupled to both the main housing portion and the frame, wherein movement of the main housing portion with respect to the frame slidably moves the radius limiter with respect to the main housing portion along the sliding direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/187,314, filed Feb. 26, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,340,417; which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/588,061, filedSep. 30, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,948,675; which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/983,784, filed May 18, 2018, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,437,000; which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/397,341, filed Jan. 3, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.9,977,213; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/922,996, filed Oct. 26, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,541,725; which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/645,674, filed Oct.5, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,391; which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/544,965, filed Oct. 7, 2011,which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optictelecommunications equipment. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to a fiber optic module designed for high density applications.

BACKGROUND

In the telecommunications industry, the demand for added capacity isgrowing rapidly. This demand is being met in part by the increasing useand density of fiber optic transmission equipment. Even though fiberoptic equipment permits higher levels of transmission in the same orsmaller footprint than traditional copper transmission equipment, thedemand requires even higher levels of fiber density. This has led to thedevelopment of high-density fiber handling equipment.

An example of this type of equipment is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,051assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc. This patent concerns ahigh-density fiber distribution frame and high-density fiber terminationblocks (FTBs) which are mounted to the frame. Because of the largenumber of optical fibers passing into and out of the FTBs, the frame andblocks have a variety of structures to organize and manage the fibers.Some structures are used to aid the fibers entering the back of theframe and FTBs. Other structures are provided for managing the cablesleaving the FTBs on the front. The FTBs also include structures forfacilitating access to the densely packed terminations. One suchstructure is a slidable adapter module that is incorporated into theFTBs to allow selective access to the densely packed terminations insidethe FTBs.

Further development in such fiber termination systems is desired.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic telecommunicationsdevice. The telecommunications device includes a slidable fiber opticconnection module with features for cable slack management.

According to one example embodiment, a fiber optic telecommunicationsdevice includes a frame and a fiber optic module. The fiber optic moduleincludes a main housing portion defining fiber optic connectionlocations for connecting cables to be routed through the frame and acable management portion for guiding cables between the main housingportion and the frame. The main housing portion of the fiber opticmodule is slidably mounted to the frame, the main housing portionslidable between a retracted position and an extended position along asliding direction. The cable management portion of the fiber opticmodule includes a radius limiter slidably coupled to both the mainhousing portion and the frame, wherein movement of the main housingportion with respect to the frame slidably moves the radius limiter withrespect to the main housing portion along the sliding direction.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and combinations of features. It is to be understood that boththe foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broadinventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein arebased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a high-density fiber distributionframe shown with a plurality of slidable fiber optic connection moduleshaving features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure mounted in a stackedarrangement thereon;

FIG. 1A illustrates one of the slidable fiber optic connection modulesin an extended position;

FIG. 2 is a front, top perspective view of a fiber optic connectionmodule shown in isolation, the fiber optic connection module includingsimilar features to those of the connection modules shown in FIG. 1 ,the connection module shown in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a rear, top perspective view of the fiber optic connectionmodule of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 2 in afully extended position;

FIG. 5 illustrates the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 3 in afully extended position;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the fiber optic connection module of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 7 is a front, top perspective view of the connection module of FIG.2 , with the left center slide member of the module shown in an explodedview;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the connection module of FIG. 2 , with the upperhalves of the center slide members removed to illustrate the gear teeththerein;

FIG. 9 is a front, top perspective view of the left rack mount member ofthe slide assembly of the connection module of FIG. 2 , the right rackmount member including similar features to that of the left rack mountmember;

FIG. 10 is a rear, top perspective view of the rack mount member of FIG.9 ;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the rack mount member of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the rack mount member of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the rack mount member of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the rack mount member of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 15 is a front, top perspective view of the lower half of a centerslide member of the connection module of FIG. 2 , the upper half of thecenter slide member including similar features to that of the lowerhalf;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the lower half of the center slide member ofFIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the lower half of the center slide member ofFIG. 15 ;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the lower half of the center slide member ofFIG. 15 ;

FIG. 19 is a front, top perspective view of the main frame member of theconnection module of FIG. 2 , the main frame member shown without fiberoptic adapters mounted thereon;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the main frame member of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a left side view of the main frame member of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the main frame member of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 23 is a rear view of the main frame member of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an example adapter having a mediareading interface configured to collect information stored in memorydisposed on a fiber optic connector; and

FIG. 25 illustrates a telecommunications rack with a plurality of priorart distribution frames or blocks mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of inventive aspects ofthe present disclosure which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A high-density distribution frame 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A.Similar high-density distribution frames or blocks are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,591,051, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference. It should be noted that the high-density fiber distributionframe 10 described herein may be used in a stacked arrangement in atelecommunications rack such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.6,591,051, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such atelecommunications rack 300 is also shown in FIG. 25 with a plurality ofprior art distribution frames or blocks 302 mounted thereon in a stackedarrangement. The example rack defines a vertical cable path 304 withcable management structures 306 for leading cables away from and towardthe distribution frames/blocks 302.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the fiber distribution frame 10 defines afront side 12, a rear side 14, a right side 16, and a left side 18. Thefiber distribution frame 10 includes a plurality of fiber opticconnection modules 20 mounted thereon in a stacked arrangement adjacentboth the right side 16 and the left side 18. As will be described infurther detail below, each of the connection modules 20 is separatelyslidable with respect to the frame 10 between a retracted position andan extended position for the purpose of accessing the fiber opticequipment located in or on the modules 20. The connection modules 20 onthe right side 16 are slidably extendable in a direction from the lefttoward the right, and the connection modules 20 on the left side 18 areslidably extendable in a direction from the right toward the left sideof the distribution frame 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8 , a fiber optic connection module 22 havingfeatures similar to those modules 20 of FIGS. 1 and 1A is shown inisolation. The connection module 22 is shown in isolation in a retractedposition in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is shown in a fully extended position inFIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8 .

As will be discussed, the connection module 22 shown in FIGS. 2-8 issimilar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, except that the connectionmodules 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A do not include a front wall of themain frame member 24 and also include a cable management spool 26 oneach of the right and left sides of the module 20. The version of themodule 22 shown in FIGS. 2-8 does not include cable management spools onthe main frame member 28 but can certainly be modified to do so. Itshould be noted that the operation and the functionality of both of theversions of the connection modules 20, 22 (FIGS. 1 and 1A and FIGS. 2-8) are very similar.

Although the connection modules 20, 22 are shown and described as beingmounted on a fiber distribution frame 10 such as that shown in FIGS. 1and 1A, it should be noted that the distribution frame 10 is only oneexample of a piece of fiber optic equipment to which modules such asmodules 20 and 22 may be mounted.

Referring now to the version of the module 22 shown in FIGS. 2-8 , asshown, the connection module 22 utilizes a slide assembly 30 including arack and pinion arrangement allowing the connection module 22 to beslidable between the retracted and extended positions. As will bediscussed in further detail below, by using a three-piece slide assembly30, wherein a center member 32 moves with respect to both the main framemember 28 and a rack mount member 34 of the connection module 22, themodule 22 is configured to manage the slack in the cable routed throughthe module 22. The slide assembly 30 is configured such that when theconnection module 22 is moved to the extended position, cables extendingfrom the main frame 28 all the way to the rack mount members 34 maintainthe same length and are not stressed or pulled during the travel of themain frame member 28. Also, the slide assembly 30 is configured suchthat, when the connection module 22 is moved from the extended positionto the retracted position, the slide assembly 30 allows cable managementfeatures located on different parts of the module 22 to relatively movewith respect to each other, providing management of any slack in thecable.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-8 , as discussed, the connection module 22includes a main frame member 28. The main frame member 28 is configuredto provide connection locations 36 for the module 22. At each of theright and left sides 38, 40 thereof, the main frame member 28 isslidably connected to right and left center members 32, which are inturn slidably connected to right and left rack mount members 34 of theslide assembly 30. As will be discussed in further detail below, therack and pinion arrangement of the slide assembly 30 is configured suchthat it provides synchronized slidable movement of the center members 32and the main frame member 28 when the rear rack mount members 34 areheld stationary (for example, mounted to a distribution frame 10). Assuch, the slide assembly 30 provides synchronized slidable movement forradius limiters located on the center members 32 relative to the mainframe member 28. The synchronized movement of the radius limiters of thecenter members 32 and the main frame member 28 ensures that cablesrouted from the connection locations 36 of the main frame member 28 donot bend too sharply when the main frame member 28 is being extended orretracted. If the cables were to bend too sharply or if the cables werestressed or pulled, loss of signal strength or loss of transmission mayoccur.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8 , each center member 32 includesa first gear 42, a second gear 44, and an idler gear 46 thereinbetween.The idler gear 46 meshes with the first and second gears 42, 44 and isconfigured to transmit the rotational direction of the first gear 42 tothe second gear 44 such that the first and second gears 42, 44 rotate inthe same direction. The first and second gears 42, 44 mesh with a firstrack 48 provided on each of the rack mount members 34 and a second rack50 provided on each of the right and left sides 38, 40 of the main framemember 28. The first, second, and idler gears 42, 44, 46 are configuredto provide half speed linear movement for the center members 32 byrotational contact with both the first and second racks 48, 50. That is,when the main frame member 28 is slid relative to the rack mount members34 (or the fiber distribution frame 10), the first gear 42, the secondgear 44, and the idler gear 46 rotate between the first and second racks48, 50 to permit the main frame member 28 to travel at full speed and tocause the center members 32 (and thus, the radius limiters of the centermembers 32) to travel at half speed.

When the main frame member 28 is extended away from the distributionframe 10, the second rack 50 contacts and rotates initially the firstgear 42 and then the second gear 44 located on the center members 32.While the first gear 42 is rotating, the first gear 42 simultaneouslycontacts the first rack 48 on each of the rack mount members 34. Thiscoupling starts to move each center member 32 with respect to both themain frame member 28 and each rack mount member 34, with the centermember 32 moving at half the linear speed of the main frame member 28with respect to the stationary rack mount member 34. By the time thesecond rack 50 reaches the second gear 44 of the center member 32, thefirst rack 48 of the rack mount member 34 is only contacting the firstgear 42 of the center member 32. As noted before, during the movement ofthe slide assembly 30, both the first and second gears 42, 44 arerotating simultaneously in the same direction via the idler gear 46,which is rotating in the opposite direction. When the connection module22 is moved toward the retracted position, the movements of the gears42, 44, 46 of the slide assembly 30 are reversed.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-14 , one of the rack mount members 34 (leftrack mount member) of the slide assembly 30 is shown. It should be notedthat features discussed with respect to the left rack mount member arefully applicable to the right rack mount member and only one of the rackmount members 34 will be discussed herein for ease of description.

The rack mount member 34 includes mounting holes 52 for receivingfasteners for mounting the connection module 22 to telecommunicationsequipment such as the high distribution frame 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and1A. The rack mount member 34 of the slide assembly 30 is the part of themodule 22 that stays stationary with respect to the rest of the module22. As discussed above, each center member 32 and the main frame member28 move with respect to the rack mount member 34 when the connectionmodule 22 is extended or retracted.

The rack mount member 34 includes a divider wall 54 and a radius limiter56 with a cable management finger 58. The divider wall 54 and the radiuslimiter 56 cooperatively define a cable path 60 for cables coming fromthe center member 32. The cables that are routed around the radiuslimiter of the center member 32 enter the cable path 60, pass underneaththe cable management finger 58 and are lead down a ramp 62 forconnection to further fiber optic equipment.

On the divider wall 54, on the side opposite from the cable path 60, therack mount member 34 defines a first longitudinal protrusion 64 thatextends from the front to the rear of the rack mount member 34. Thelongitudinal protrusion 64 defines a dovetail shaped profile forslidable insertion into a first dovetail shaped longitudinal groove 66of the center member 32 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The dovetail shapedprofiles provide for longitudinal slidable coupling between each rackmount member 34 and center member 32 while preventing uncoupling of thetwo members in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.

The longitudinal protrusion 64 of each rack mount member 34 also definesthe first rack 48. As discussed previously, by meshing with both thefirst rack 48 on the rack mount member 34 and the second rack 50 on themain frame member 28 at the same time, the first and second gears 42, 44located on the center member 32 allow the center member 32 to movesimultaneously with the main frame member 28 but at half the linearspeed of the main frame member 28.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , one of the center members 32 of the slideassembly 30 of the connection module 22 is shown in an explodedconfiguration, wherein the upper and lower halves 68, 70 of the centermember 32 have been separated to expose the gears 42, 44, 46 therein.FIG. 8 also illustrates each of the center members 32 with the upperhalves 68 removed, showing the meshing of the first and second gearteeth with the first and second racks 48, 50 and also showing the idlergear 46 meshing with each of the first and second gears 42, 44 tomaintain the rotational direction between those two gears 42, 44.

The lower half 70 of one of the center members 32 is shown in isolationin FIGS. 15-18 . It should be noted that although only the lower half 70is shown and described herein, all of the features with respect to thelower half 70 are also shared by the upper half 68 of the center member32 and will not be separately discussed. Each of the upper and lowerhalves 68, 70 of the center member 32, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 , and8, define a radius limiter 72 adjacent the front of the center member32. When the upper and the lower halves 68, 70 are mounted together withfasteners through fastener openings 74, the radius limiters 72 align toform a single radius limiter 76 located adjacent the front of the centermember 32. In cooperation with a cable management finger 78 that extendsupwardly from the lower half 70 and one that extends downwardly from theupper half 68, the radius limiter 76 of the center member 32 defines acable path 80 for cables extending from connection locations 36 of themain frame member 28. Once cables extend from the main frame member 28and around the radius limiter 76, passing through the cable path 60 ofthe center member 32, they are led to the cable path 80 defined by therack mount member 34.

The radius limiter 76 of each center member 32 defines a first notch 82and a second notch 84. As will be discussed in further detail below, thenotches 82, 84 accommodate portions of the rack mount members 34 andalso portions of the main frame member 28 in providing stop pointsduring extension and retraction of the connection module 22.

The first, second, and idler gears 42, 44, 46 are placed within eachcenter member 32 via axial pins 86 defined on each gear and openings 88defined on each of the lower and upper halves 70, 68 of the centermember 32. Once the gears 42, 44, 46 are placed within the openings 88of the lower half 70, the upper half 68 is fastened down to the lowerhalf 70, and the gears 42, 44, 46 are free to spin when they are notengaging either of the racks 48, 50.

When the main frame member 28 is pulled out with respect to thedistribution frame 10 or the rack mount members 34, the center member 32(by the meshing of the gear teeth of the first and second gears 42, 44with the first and second racks 48, 50) moves in the same direction withthe main frame member 28 at half the linear speed of the main framemember 28.

In this manner, cables extending from the main frame member 28 (forexample around the rear part of the spool 26 shown in FIG. 1 ) to thecenter member 32 and around the radius limiter 76 of the center member32 are able to maintain a generally uniform length throughout the travelof the main frame member 28. Thus, cables extending from the main framemember 28 all the way to the rack mount members 34 are not stressed orpulled during the travel of the main frame member 28. Also, as notedabove, when the connection module 22 is moved from the extended positionto the retracted position, the cables maintain their length and anyslack in the cables is managed. The maintenance of the cable slacklimits any pinching that might occur with fiber optic equipment if therewas excessive slack during the retraction of the module 22.

When the upper and the lower halves 68, 70 of the center member 32 arefastened together, they also cooperatively define the first dovetailshaped longitudinal groove 66 formed on the left side of the centermember and a second dovetail shaped longitudinal groove 69 formed on theright side of the center member 32.

As noted above, FIGS. 19-23 illustrate one version of the main framemember 28, while a second version 24 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A.The main frame member 28 shown in FIGS. 19-23 is similar to those shownin FIGS. 1 and 1A, except that the main frame member 24 shown in FIGS. 1and 1A does not include a front wall and also includes a cablemanagement spool 26 on each of the right and left sides of the member24, wherein such spools are not shown for the version 28 in FIGS. 19-23. It should be noted, however, that the features shown in FIGS. 1 and 1Acan be included in the version shown in FIGS. 19-23 and vice versa, andthat the operation and functionality of both of the versions are verysimilar.

Referring to FIGS. 19-23 , the main frame member 28 includes a frontwall 90, a rear wall 92, a right sidewall 94, and a left sidewall 96.Each of the right and left sidewalls 94, 96 defines a longitudinalprotrusion 98 similar to that of the rack mount members 34 for slidablecoupling with the center member 32. Each of the longitudinal protrusions98 of the right wall 94 and the left wall 96 defines a dovetail shapedprofile for slidable insertion into the second dovetail shapedlongitudinal groove 69 of the center member 32 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The dovetail shaped profiles provide for longitudinal slidablecoupling between each center member 32 and the main frame member 28while preventing uncoupling of the two members in a directionperpendicular to the sliding direction.

The longitudinal protrusion 98 on each of the right and left sidewalls94, 96 of the main frame member 28 also defines the second rack 50. Asdiscussed previously, by meshing with both the first rack 48 on the rackmount member 34 and the second rack 50 on the main frame member 28 atthe same time, the first and second gears 42, 44 located on the centermember 32 allow the center member 32 to move at half linear speedsimultaneously with the main frame member 28.

When the main frame member 28 is fully extended, the front end 95 ofeach of the right sidewall 94 and the left sidewall 96 contacts an end97 of the first notch 82 defined by the radius limiter 76 of each of thecenter members 32. Similarly, a front end 55 of the divider wall 54 ofeach rack mount member 34 also contacts an end 99 of the second notch 84defined by the radius limiter 76 of each of the center members 32 whenthe connection module 22 is brought to the fully retracted position. Inthis manner, positive stops are provided for full extension andretraction of the modules 22.

The main frame member 28 is configured to provide fiber optic connectionlocations 36 for the connection module 22. By stacking a plurality ofthe modules 22 on a distribution frame 10, density of connections forfiber optic transmission can be increased, and the slidability of themodules 22 provides for easy access. As shown in FIGS. 19-23 , thedepicted version of the main frame member 28 includes a mount 100 formounting fiber optic adapters 102 which define the fiber opticconnection locations 36 in this embodiment of the module 22.Specifically, in the module 22 shown and described in the presentapplication, the fiber optic connection locations 36 are defined byadapters 102 having an LC type footprint. In the depicted embodiments,twelve LC adapters 102 are mounted to the mount 100 via fastenersthrough fastener openings 104 defined on the mount 100. In the highdensity distribution frame 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, twelve slidablemodules are mounted on each of right and left sides of the frame 10.

It should be noted that other standards of fiber optic adapters 102(such as SC adapters) can be mounted to the mount 100. Fiber opticadapters 102 are only one type of fiber optic equipment that providesconnection locations 36 for the module 22, and the module 22 can be usedwith other types of fiber optic equipment. For example, equipment suchas fiber optic splitters, couplers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, orother types of equipment wherein cables may be routed away from theconnection locations may be housed on the main frame member 28.

If fiber optic adapters are used, the connection locations may bedefined by adapters individually mounted in the mount or may be definedby blocks that include integrally formed adapters. In other embodiments,the connection locations may be in the form of a cassette that includesfiber optic adapters on one side, wherein the opposite side either has amulti-fiber connector or a cable extending outwardly therefrom, asdescribed in further detail in U.S. Publication No. 2013/0089292,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As long as plurality of fiber optic cables or even a single fiber opticcable is being routed from the main frame member 28 all the way to therack mount members 34, the slide assembly 30 of the module 22 providesaccess to those fiber optic terminations while managing the cable slackto prevent pinching and preventing pulling or stressing of the cables.

In accordance with some aspects, certain types of adapters 102 may beconfigured to collect physical layer information from one or more fiberoptic connectors 135 received thereat. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, certain types of adapter modules 102 may include a body 200 configuredto hold one or more media reading interfaces 220 that are configured toengage memory contacts on the fiber optic connectors 135. One or moremedia reading interfaces 220 may be positioned in the adapter body 200.In certain implementations, the adapter body 200 defines slots 210extending between an exterior of the adapter body 200 and an internalpassage in which the ferrules of the connectors 135 are received.

Certain types of media reading interfaces 220 include one or morecontact members 221 that are positioned in the slots 210. As shown inFIG. 24 , a portion of each contact member 221 extends into a respectiveone of the passages to engage memory contacts on a fiber optic connector130. Another portion of each contact member 221 also extends out of theslot 210 to contact a circuit board 230. Portions of the main framemember 28 may define conductive paths that are configured to connect themedia reading interfaces 220 of the adapter 102 with a master circuitboard. The master circuit board may include or connect (e.g., over anetwork) to a processing unit that is configured to manage physicallayer information obtained by the media reading interfaces.

Example adapters having media reading interfaces and example fiber opticconnectors having suitable memory storage and memory contacts are shownin U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,593, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference. Although in the foregoing description, termssuch as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “right”, “left”, “upper”, and“lower were used for ease of description and illustration, norestriction is intended by such use of the terms. The telecommunicationsdevices described herein can be used in any orientation, depending uponthe desired application.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the presentinvention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts mayreadily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended thatsuch modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of theclaims which are appended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic telecommunications devicecomprising: a telecommunications frame; and a fiber optic module mountedto the telecommunications frame, the module movable between a retractedposition and an extended position with respect to the frame along asliding direction, the fiber optic module comprising: a main framemember defining a right side, a left side, and fiber optic connectionlocations for connecting cables to be routed through thetelecommunications frame, wherein the fiber optic connection locationsare provided in the form of an array of adapters defining a line whichis generally parallel to the sliding direction of the fiber opticmodule, the adapters being removably mounted to the main frame member; arack mount member coupled to each of the right side and the left side ofthe main frame member, each rack mount member configured for mountingthe main frame member to the telecommunications frame; a center memberpositioned between the main frame member and the rack mount member ateach of the right side and the left side of the main frame member,wherein each center member includes a U-shaped radius limiter defining acurved surface having a vertical height for routing cables with bendradius protection from each of the right and left sides of the mainframe member toward each rack mount member; and a slide assemblyprovided at each of the right side and the left side of the main framemember for slidably coupling the main frame member to each rack mountmember between the extended position and the retracted position alongthe sliding direction; wherein the center member is slidable withrespect to both the main frame members and the rack mount members andwherein each slide assembly is configured such that movement of the mainframe member with respect to the rack mount members simultaneously movesthe center members with respect to the rack mount members along thesliding direction, wherein each slide assembly at the right and leftsides is configured such that the center members move at half the linearspeed of the main frame member with respect to the rack mount members,each slide assembly including a rotational member that causes thesimultaneous movement of the rack mount members, the center members, andthe main frame member, the rotational member having an axis of rotationgenerally perpendicular to the sliding direction of the module, therotational member being generally vertically aligned with the curvedsurface of the U-shaped radius limiter of each of the center memberssuch that the rotational member is within the vertical height defined bythe curved surface of the U-shaped radius limiter, and wherein each ofthe main frame member, the rack mount members at the right and leftsides of the main frame member, and the center members at the right andleft sides of the main frame member of the fiber optic module includesportions with dovetail profiles for slidable coupling to each other,wherein the portions with dovetail profiles are generally verticallyaligned with the curved surface of the U-shaped radius limiter of eachof the center members such that the portions with the dovetail profilesare within the vertical height defined by the curved surface of theU-shaped radius limiter.
 2. A fiber optic telecommunications deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapters of the array areSC format adapters.
 3. A fiber optic device according to claim 1,wherein the slide assembly includes a rack and pinion arrangement.
 4. Afiber optic device according to claim 3, wherein the rotational memberis defined by at least one gear of the rack and pinion arrangement ofthe slide assembly, the at least one gear being disposed on the centermembers and meshing with both a rack provided on each of the right andleft sides of the main frame member and a rack provided on each of therack mount members, wherein the racks provided on the main frame member,the racks provided on the rack mount members, and the at least one geardisposed on the center members are all generally vertically aligned withthe curved surface of the U-shaped radius limiters of the centermembers.
 5. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim1, wherein the telecommunications frame is mounted on atelecommunications rack.
 6. A fiber optic telecommunications deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the fiber optic modules aremounted to the telecommunications frame.
 7. A fiber optictelecommunications module comprising: a main frame member configured tobe movably mounted to a piece of telecommunications equipment to bemovable between a retracted position and an extended position along asliding direction, the main frame member defining a right side, a leftside, and fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables,wherein the fiber optic connection locations are provided in the form ofan array of adapters defining a line which is generally parallel to thesliding direction of the telecommunications module, the adapters beingremovably mounted to the main frame member; a rack mount member coupledto each of the right side and the left side of the main frame member,each rack mount member configured for mounting the main frame member tothe piece of telecommunications equipment; a center member positionedbetween the main frame member and the rack mount member at each of theright side and the left side of the main frame member, wherein eachcenter member includes a U-shaped radius limiter defining a curvedsurface having a vertical height for routing cables with bend radiusprotection from each of the right and left sides of the main framemember toward each rack mount member; and a slide assembly provided ateach of the right side and the left side of the main frame member forslidably coupling the main frame member to each rack mount memberbetween the extended position and the retracted position along thesliding direction; wherein the center members are slidable with respectto both the main frame members and the rack mount members and whereineach slide assembly is configured such that movement of the main framemember with respect to the rack mount members simultaneously moves thecenter members with respect to the rack mount members along the slidingdirection, wherein each slide assembly at the right and left sides isconfigured such that the center members move at half the linear speed ofthe main frame member with respect to the rack mount members, each slideassembly including a rotational member that causes the simultaneousmovement of the rack mount members, the center members, and the mainframe member, the rotational member having an axis of rotation generallyperpendicular to the sliding direction of the module, the rotationalmember being generally vertically aligned with the curved surface of theU-shaped radius limiter of each of the center members such that therotational member is within the vertical height defined by the curvedsurface of the U-shaped radius limiter, and wherein each of the mainframe member, the rack mount members at the right and left sides of themain frame member, and the center members at the right and left sides ofthe main frame member of the telecommunications module includes portionswith dovetail profiles for slidable coupling to each other, wherein theportions with dovetail profiles are generally vertically aligned withthe curved surface of the U-shaped radius limiter of each of the centermembers such that the portions with the dovetail profiles are within thevertical height defined by the curved surface of the U-shaped radiuslimiter.
 8. A fiber optic telecommunications device according to claim7, wherein the fiber optic adapters of the array are SC format adapters.9. A fiber optic telecommunications module according to claim 7, whereinthe fiber optic adapters of the array are LC format adapters.
 10. Afiber optic device according to claim 7, wherein the slide assemblyincludes a rack and pinion arrangement.
 11. A fiber optic deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the rotational member is defined by atleast one gear of the rack and pinion arrangement of the slide assembly,the at least one gear being disposed on the center members and meshingwith both a rack provided on each of the right and left sides of themain frame member and a rack provided on each of the rack mount members,wherein the racks provided on the main frame member, the racks providedon the rack mount members, and the at least one gear disposed on thecenter members are all generally vertically aligned with the curvedsurface of the U-shaped radius limiters of the center members.